In a statement on Friday evening, Thames Valley Police (TVP) said: “We are now in a position to confirm the formal identification of those who have died. The firefighters who died are Jennie Logan, aged 30, of Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service and Martyn Sadler, aged 38 of both Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue and The London Fire Brigade.
TVP said that its Major Crime Team has opened an unexplained death investigation, which is not currently a criminal investigation, and that it will continue to have officers at Bicester Motion to ensure public safety.
Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering (Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)Assistant Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police, Tim Metcalfe, said: “This is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts and the thoughts of everyone at Thames Valley Police are with [their] families, friends and colleagues.”
In a statement, Marjorie Neasham Glasgow, the King’s representative in the county, said: “I know that His Majesty The King would want me to pass on his sincerest condolences to all those affected by the tragic news of yesterday’s fire at Bicester Motion.
“We think of all those who have worked tirelessly to develop Bicester Motion into the world-class enterprise it is today, and on a site of historical importance.
The two firefighters died while tackling the blaze at the former RAF base.
Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the fire, which prompted a major response and warnings for local residents to stay indoors.
Black smoke seen and ‘multiple bangs’ heard
Eyewitnesses said they saw “black” smoke in the sky from the other side of town.A social media user shared images of massive black plumes of smoke coming from the site, adding they had heard “multiple explosions”.
Nav Jordan, 39, said she was “really worried” when she could see smoke from her garden.
A fire engine leaves Bicester Motion (Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
“We were quite concerned if it was one of the houses over there, because we know all the neighbours and everyone in the local area.
She added: “You could hear the crackling, it was loud. There were a few explosions as well. Sounds of things exploding, which is when we worked out it must have been Bicester Heritage.”
She said: “I haven’t heard anything from him because I was in London last night and working today.
One Bicester resident, who asked not to be named, said neighbours began to congregate on his street after the fire broke out.
“Then we were all told to stay inside with the windows shut. I only really found out what was happening on social media.”
She said: “We just heard a bang. I was actually working, so we literally just shut all our windows because we could see the smoke.
Smoke seen near the scene of a fire at Bicester Aerodrome (Photo: @kajer87/Kieran McG/PA Wire)Janine McKenna Jones, 48, described seeing “massive black ash” near her home.
“It felt very apocalyptic, if that makes sense, because you see the sky and there’s this big black cloud of smoke.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the deaths as “devastating news”, adding: “The bravery of our firefighters is astounding.
Philip Garrigan, chief of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: “I am devastated by the news that two firefighters have lost their lives responding to a major incident in Bicester on Thursday evening.
“Our firefighters are the very best of us, their courage and compassion is what make them so very special.
Chief fire officer Rob MacDougall said it is “with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters”.
Police officers patrol at a cordon near the scene at Bicester Motion, the site of a former RAF base. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA WireAccording to Historic England, the famous airfield is the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase in Britain.
In a statement, Bicester Motion said the deaths of the two firefighters and a “close friend of the site” were “tragic”.
“We pray for the two firefighters in hospital.
“We are grateful for all the support and especially the exceptional work by all in such unprecedented circumstances.”
Flowers laid outside Bicester Fire Station
He said: “I think the job that the fire brigade do really goes unnoticed.
“That really says it all.
“There’s no words for it, are there?”
Floral tributes are seen outside Bicester Fire Station (Photo: Emily Smith/PA Wire)
He said: “I retired in 1988 but I’ve served in London and I now understand that one of the guys was from London.”
“We’re all brothers wherever we serve.
Cards read: “Our hearts have broken for the loss of two heroes. All our love and prayers.
A message left from Thames Valley Police reads: “To my Red Light Family, in memory of two heroes. With deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to family and friends. Always in our thoughts, your Blue Light Family (TVP)”
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